The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for July 2011

08.07.2011 Many beaten people were brought to Frunzenski District Police Department of Minsk

Human rights activists from the Human Rights Center Viasna told Euroradio about detentions in the Frunzenski district of Minsk.

07.07.2011 Chronicle of silent revolution: 6 July

During the 6 July action the Minsk blocked the grounds where participants of the silent protests wanted to gather. In particular, residents of the Frunzenski district were recommended to gather near the Ice Palace in Prytytski Street, but all ways to it were blocked by law-machinery officers.

07.07.2011 Incomplete list of protesters kept in prison in Akrestsin Street (updated)

According to the blogger m-dziatlik, the prison guards hanged out the lists of the people who were punished with arrest for participation in the silent revolution held on 3 July in Minsk.

07.07.2011 Trials in Mahiliou

On 7 July afternoon the Leninski District Court considered the administrative cases of some participants of yesterday’s silent protest action.

07.07.2011 BPF Party must vacate its Minsk office within 7 days

On 7 July the Belarusian Popular Front Party received 6 rulings ordering it to vacate the office in Masherau Avenue, 8 in Minsk, within 7 days. The rulings are signed by the court marshal Nikulin.

07.07.2011 Homel: participant of silent protests sentenced to 30 days of arrest

The court considered the youngster guilty of bad swearing and sentenced him to 15 days of detention on 4 July. Ustsimenka was detained on 2 July, before another silent action of protest. Policemen claimed they had received a complaint from an unknown person.

07.07.2011 6 July protest action: list of detained journalists

The following journalists were detained during the protests actions that were held in different towns and cities of Belarus on 6 July:

07.07.2011 About 1,730 people detained at silent revolutions

Silent protest actions are still held all over Belarus each Wednesday. About 1,730 people were detained during the actions which took place on 15, 22, 29 June and 3, 6 July. 980 of them were detained in Minsk.

07.07.2011 Police beat journalist of Vecherniy Grodno

On 7 July Polina Zhuravlyova, a journalist for the Vecherniy Grodno newspaper, paid a visit to the forensic expertise in order to register her injuries.

06.07.2011 Vitsebsk: Aleh Surhan sentenced to 5 days of arrest

Police took the civil activist Aleh Surhan to the Kastrychnitski District Court of Vitsebsk right from his home. The policeman who escorted him to the court said he was doing it on order of Aliaksandr Kalinouski, the head of the public security department of the Kastrychnitski District Police Department.

06.07.2011 Political prisoner Liabedzka isn't returned his passport and belongings

On 10 June the Chair of the United Civil Party Anatol Liabedzka addressed A.Sukala, the head of the investigative bureau of the Main Police Department of the Minsk City Executive Committee, with three proposals: to return his belongings, including the passport, to familiarize him with the document about the extension of the terms of the investigation into his case; and stop the action of his undertaking not to leave.

06.07.2011 Uladzimir Niakliayeu gets no information about the date of trial

The date of the court proceedings concerning the cassation appeal of political prisoner, former presidential candidate Uladzimir Niakliayeu, remains unknown.

06.07.2011 Homel: UCP member Uladzimir Niapomniashchykh detained and fined

A former policeman, member of the United Civil Party Uladzimir Niapomniashchykh was detained on Peramoha street on 5 July.

06.07.2011 Brest: searches at apartments of Internet activists

Officers of the Belarusian secret services held searches and confiscations at the apartments of Yauhen Skrabets and Siarhei Aleksiyevich, coordinators of the Revolution through social network community at the social net VKontakte. The official reason for the searches is the explosion in the Minsk metro.

05.07.2011 Tear gas fired and websites blocked as Belarus protesters are targeted

Belarusian authorities must refrain from using excessive force against protesters, Amnesty International said today, after police used teargas and arrested more than 300 protesters on Sunday.